Dover council gives thumbs up for money to move skatepark

Thursday

Nov 15, 2012 at 3:15 AM

By Michelle Kingstonmkingston@fosters.com

DOVER — The City Council voted unanimously Wednesday night for the funding to relocate the Dover skatepark to Maglaras Park.

The city will use half of the $10,000 that Dickinson Development is paying Dover each month to hold the company’s lease on the waterfront project to fund the skateboard park through the Recreation Department. They can use up to $30,000 of the money. The Recreation Department and volunteers are responsible for coming up with the rest of the money needed to relocate the park.

Matthew Johnson, of 26 Sunset Drive, asked the council during citizens’ forum, before the vote, to approve the money being allocated to the new park.

“If we do lose our skatepark, if the waterfront development goes through and we don’t have another place for children to go, this city is going to become the skatepark,” he said. “And there is nothing in place to curb that behavior.”

Deputy Mayor Robert Carrier agreed with Johnson.

“We have a home and it’s a nice home and there is an awful lot of enthusiasm in that park. I’ve seen it, I’ve brought my kids there,” he said, adding that before the park existed youths skating on the sidewalks were being stopped by city police officers.

Johnson said skateparks are important for youth culture, are low maintenance, low cost, a place for kids to go after school and a big draw for children.

“I continue to be amazed and impressed by the users of the skateboard park,” Mayor Dean Trefethen said on how they have worked hard to fight for the park and work to fundraise for the park.

“This has to live,” Carrier said. “This is a very important piece to Maglaras Park and to the skateboarders.”

“I like to help those who help themselves,” Councilor Michael Weeden said, in support of the skateboard park relocating.

Conceptual designs and plans will get under way now that the funding to relocate the park has passed.